Mission Statement

The National Commission Persons with Disability is committed to rendering Maltese society an inclusive one, in a way that persons with disability reach their full potential in all aspects of life, enjoying a high quality of life thanks to equal opportunities.

In fulfilling this mission, KNPD works in order to eliminate any form of direct or indirect social discrimination against persons with disability and their families while providing them with the necessary assistance and support.

The Setting Up of KNPD

The National Commission Persons with Disability was founded on the 3rd of November 1987, when the then Minister of Social Policy, the Hon. Dr Louis Galea, had made a parliamentary statement announcing that he had appointed the first KNPD members.

KNPD has a wide variety of roles which are described in detail in the Act.

It has the duty to raise awareness about the capabilities and contributions of persons with disability and combat prejudices or harmful behaviour in their regard stemming from stereotypes. It is also expected to identify the needs of persons with disabilities, their families and voluntary bodies working in the field of disability and promote policies, encourage research and best practice as well as collaborate with local and international entities in order to achieve these goals. It is also responsible to monitor government initiatives addressing their needs, suggest changes in laws and coordinate initiatives taken by different departments.

Policy guidelines on working with disabled persons with challenging behaviour and Compendium of services produced as part of the project ESF 3.105 Promoting the Social Inclusion of Disabled Persons with Challenging Behaviour can be found here.

OPM Circular-UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PDF)

Research on the Situation of Disabled Persons in Malta. The full report may be
found in the Research Section.

KNPD has become a member of the Equinet European network of equality bodies. To acceed to equinet website click here.

The first data regarding persons with disability from the 2011 Census can be found here.

KNPD has been approved as a sending organisation within the European Voluntary Service. KNPD can now help persons with disability who wish to carry out voluntary work in the EU. For more information click here.

The table relative to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Malta is available in Maltese (PDF).

Executive Summary of the report entitled The Current Situation of Disabled Persons with Challenging Behaviour in Malta (MT/EN/Faċli-biex-taqra) (PDF). The full report may be found in the Research Section.